Trump’s immigration policies may put people at risk for coronavirus

There is a widespread fear that President Trump’s policies have sown such fear of deportation and wariness of any contact with U.S. authorities among immigrants, that many of them will not seek help if they become sick with the virus. Medical treatment and healthcare facilities are supposed to be exempt from most immigration enforcement actions. However, that has been undermined as reports from around the country have indicated ICE officers arrested or questioned people at or near hospitals. The public charge rule could also impact how people approach coronavirus as fears over their citizenship status discourages many from seeking help from the state, even when it comes to healthcare.